Seventeen new species in Xenasmatales revealed by phylogenetic and morphological analyses
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The order Xenasmatales comprises a diverse group of ecologically significant fungi, yet its species diversity remains insufficiently documented, particularly in understudied regions. Seventeen newly discovered species display macro- and micro-morphological characteristics consistent with the genus Xenasmatella, including membranous to coriaceous basidiomata, pleural basidia, and warted basidiospores. These species also exhibit distinctive morphological traits, such as variations in hymenophoral surface structure and basidiospore morphometrics, that distinguish them from previously described taxa. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and nLSU sequences indicate that all the newly reported taxa form distinct, independent lineages within Xenasmatales. Phylogenetic trees based on a combined dataset of ITS and nLSU markers further confirm the placement of these taxa within the order. The new species were collected from 15 provinces or autonomous regions across China, encompassing a range of temperate, subtropical, tropical, and alpine-plateau climates. The diversity of climates and pristine habitats contributed to the discovery of this previously unrecognized diversity. The integration of morphological data with multi-locus phylogenetic analyses provides robust support for the recognition of these 17 new species. For each species, a description, illustrations, notes, phylogenetic analysis results, and comparisons with closely related taxa are presented. Additionally, an identification key to the 28 accepted species of Xenasmatella in China is provided.
Source: Mycosphere
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7197010638